Looking to banish that post-baby-belly or turn over a new leaf and get 2015 off to a fighting fit start? We’ve put together our top picks for the best workouts in Dubai – so polish off those trainers, get into your lycra and prepare to get moving mamas!
Aqua Aerobics
Want to get fit without breaking into a sweat? Hop into the pool at Dubai Ladies Club for a great cardio work-out which burns fat and calories and is toning at the same time. Perfect for mamas with back pain or high blood-pressure as the water supports body weight – but don’t be fooled, water aerobics is harder and more effective than it looks!
Dubai Ladies Club, Jumeirah Beach Road – next to Jumeirah Beach Park. (+971) (0)4 349 9922, www.dubailadiesclub.com
Aqua Biking
Not sure whether to go for a spinning class or aqua aerobics? Well now you can do both with an Aqua Biking class at L’Atelier Aquafitness (we have to be honest, we always thought this was some kind of chic French boutique – but turns out that actually it’s beautiful bodies not couture clothing you can expect to come away with). A 45 minute class on a bike submerged to chest level in a swimming pool, this session is perfectly suited to all fitness levels – even pregnant ladies can participate. If you want to up the ante and throw in some dance moves, they also offer Aquaswing classes to some pumping tunes.
L’Atelier Aquafitness, Villa 677 A, Al Wasl Road, (+971)(0) 4 338 8323, www.latelieraquafitness.com
Bikram Yoga at Rawr Yoga
Just when you thought this city couldn’t get any hotter, Bikram Yoga classes at Rawr Yoga are guaranteed to have you in a sweat. Also known as ‘hot yoga’, the 90 minute sessions are conducted in 40-degree heat at 40% humidity that is said to assist flexibility, flush out toxins and aid calorie burn while challenging body and mind. A favourite amongst many celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, prepare to sweat buckets and remember to take a large bottle of water! If you can’t handle the heat – this one’s not for you.
Rawr Yoga, 713, 7th Floor, Concord Tower, Dubai Media City, (+971) (0)4 4232808, www.rawryoga.com
Bounce Fit
How about a fitness class on a huge trampoline? Yes mamas this one’s guaranteed to be as fun as it is effective – Bounce Fit classes offer 60 minutes of supercharged exercise with all the benefits of free jumping. These are high intensity low-impact cardio workouts that blast your core, improve all-over muscle tone and lift your heart rate, all to an awesome soundtrack that make you feel like you’re just out having fun (with the added bonus of getting you really fit at the same time).
Bounce Dubai, 32, 4B Street Al Quoz, Dubai. UAE. (Behind Ace Hardware – Sheikh Zayed Road), (+971)(0) 2 558 6980, www.bounce.ae
Bugg-E-Fit with PURE Fitness
Mamas did you know that buggies can be used as resistance aids to help tone abs, back, legs and behinds? Grab your bugaboo and enjoy an hour with baby whilst getting fit with other mamas. PURE Fitness offer an extensive range of baby-friendly classes and programmes that cater for mamas and mamas-to-be and that are designed by mamas who really understand time-constraints and who aren’t phased by the need to breastfeed mid-session.
PURE Fitness, various locations, (+971)(0) 50 659 4376, www.purefitnessuae.com
DanceFit
Dance your way to a fitter you this 2015 with DanceFit’s fun selection of classes. Whether you’re grooving to some Latin beats with some Zumba or channeling your inner Dita Von Teese with a cheeky burlesque class, why not bring your partner along for some salsa or tango classes? With way more classes than we’d be able to squeeze into this little paragraph, their Slim Mom classes are perfect for new mamas trying to shake the baby weight and there are a few offerings for the kiddos: karate, baby ballet (3-6 year olds), Latin and a bit of hip hop thrown into the mix too. Did we mention they have a complimentary baby creche where your little ones will be looked after while you bust a move? Love it!
DanceFit, Unit 105, 1/F, Al Sayyah Building, Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road, (+971)(0) 43 884 157, www.dancefitme.com
Exhale Dubai
This tranquil fitness studio is known for its pilates, yoga and ‘feel good’ classes but also offers a schedule for kids including dance, yoga, karate and gymnastics. Mamas to be, the prenatal classes with Caroline are really excellent.
Exhale Dubai, Murjan 1, Plaza Level, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina, (+971)(0) 4 424 3777, www.exhaledubai.com
Fit Republik
Fit Republik is the hottest new fitness secret in Dubai, and for good reason. Having only recently opened its doors, this incredible gym and the state of the art facility offers over 500 classes a week, including yoga, pilates, spinning, martial arts and more. Looking for an intensive programme to make good on that fitness resolution? They offer bootcamps and CrossFit programmes to get you strong and sexy this 2015 in no time. Not only can mama get fit, but there are also number of programmes just for kids as well including baby gymnastics in their Olympic-level facilities, dance sessions, mixed martial arts and swimming (are you even surprised they have a pool at this point?).
Fit Republik, The Academies, Dubai, (+971)(0) 52 742 4555, www.fitrepublik.com
FlyWheel
Ready to reach those sky high fitness goals, mama? If you’re into cycling and up for a challenge, then sign up for FlyWheel’s intensive workout experience – a spinning class with a difference. Combining weight lifting for your upper body along with a rigorously choreographed cycling routine (all to some fresh beats), New York fitness legend Ruth Zukerman’s programme is sure to have you working up a sweat. If you’re a yogi or pilates-head, be sure to check out FlyBarre as well which combines the best of the two in a circuit training and strength building regimen. With even an app to help you reserve classes online, FlyWheel takes fitness seriously – talk about fitspiration!
psst…Saddle up mamas, FlyWheel have just opened a second location in Dubai’s Gold & Diamond Park – if getting fit isn’t incentive enough to go along then the bling might help!
Flywheel Sports, Burj Views Residences, Downtown, Dubai, www.flywheelsports.com
Maya Yoga
Our very own Sassy Mama Yogi- Maya! We love how she has a genuine interest and knowledge in what she does not to mention the fact that she is a great teacher. This gal’ was bending, stretching and gently reaching way before it was cool- that’s the kind of teacher you want to be with mamas.
See our full review here.
www.facebook.com/mayayogadubai
Military Boot Camp
Build strength and stamina with the Ignite Wellness 4 week Military Boot Camp which will take you through traditional military drills (squad running, pack marching, push-ups, obstacle courses, squats – you get the picture!) and teach you to become an exercise soldier.
Ignite Wellness, various locations around town, (+971) (0)4562482, www.ignite-wellness.com
Mountain Buggy Fitness
Here’s another baby buggy fitness class to add to your list! Mountain Buggy Fitness has designed a programme that’ll help you get back to your pre-baby body, focusing on tightening your core, toning up your bums and tums and helping you get stronger (don’t we all need it after carrying our little ones all the time?). Run by their resident personal trainer Olivia Johnson, these hour long classes are a perfect way to exercise outdoors, meet new mamas and do it all with your little.
Check out our full review here!
Classes are every Wednesday at 8:30am Palm Park under the mono rail meet at the main car park or every Thursday at 8:45am Al Furjan Villas Park.
Mountain Buggy Fitness, Palm Park or Al Furjan Villas Park, www.mountainbuggy.com/me
NYLA Method
Since the NYLA Method hit Dubai a little while ago, mamas have been raving about the ballet meets yogalates cardio workout. Designed to help you get fit without all the bulk, their amazing internationally trained instructors from the USA and Australia lead exhilarating barre classes sure to put a smile on your face. Promoting a lifestyle of healthy living, they’ve even introduced NYLA Kitchen; a nutritional weight loss programme big on super foods. (Psst, they’ve actually teamed up with Ripe for a series of markets!) Can’t find the time to leave the house, mamas? Check out their personal training programme!
See our full review here!
NYLA House, 675 Al Wasl Road, Umm Sequim, Dubai, (+971)(0) 43 212 662 www.nylamethod.com
Physique 57
57 minutes of barre based exercise moves – these guys claim that results are visible after only 8 classes and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia has even called them ‘the year’s hottest fitness craze’. Be under no illusion, this is less floaty ballet stuff and more cardio and strength exercises to an awesome high-energy soundtrack that will help you stay motivated even when you feel like you can’t take anymore (it’s all worth it in the end mamas!). With a focus on toning your arms, thighs, bums and tums, their interval training workouts are even available as a private lesson for mamas who want a little one-to-one attention. Did we mention they have an app that lets you sort out your class schedules? It’s time to hit the barre, mamas!
Physique 57, Citywalk, intersection of Al Wasl and Al Safa Roads (adjacent to ENBD in Jumeirah), Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 344 8757, www.physique57.com
Pole Fit Dubai
Don’t scroll past, mamas! Pole dancing is actually becoming a super popular form of exercise (as our editorial assistant Megan can attest from a tiny dabble, you need a shocking amount of core strength). There’s no better place to turn to than Pole Fit Dubai to improve your strength, coordination and flexibility, and all to some great music. And if pole’s not your thing, they offer aerial silk, hoop and trapeze classes for the more adventurous as well as flexibility, yoga and pilates classes for those who’d rather keep their feet on the ground. Bring some gal pals mama, it’s always better with friends!
Pole Fit Dubai, G/F, Marina Sail Tower, Dubai Marina, (+971)(0) 45 516 911, www.polefitdubai.com
Real Pilates
It’s time for some Real Pilates talk ladies and this reformer and mat pilates centre is beloved by Jumeirah and JLT mamas with good reason. As the only STOTT Pilates certified centre in the Middle East, they’ve got over 60 group classes a week for mamas of all skill levels and ages. Getting ready to pop or just had a new addition to the family? Check out their pre- and post natal classes and save yourself a few bucks by signing up for one of their class packages!
Real Pilates, 1/F, Palm Strip Mall, Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, also have a JLT location, (+971)(0) 43 453 228, www.real-pilates.com
Stand Up Paddleboarding with Ignite Surf School UAE
If it’s good enough for Elle Macpherson, it’s good enough for us. Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the coolest and fastest growing innovations in surfing. Paddle your way fit around the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf whilst standing on a large wide surfboard. Lessons are available all year-round at times to suit the weather and are broken up into packages or single sessions of 1.5 hours long. Great exercise and fun for all ages and levels – if you’re lucky you might even get to share the water with curious turtles and dolphins.
Surf School UAE, Sunset Beach, Dubai, (+971)(0) 55 601 0997, www.surfschooluae.com
Urban Energy Fitness
We’re big fans of Urban Energy Fitness and love how mama-oriented they are. With a number of prenatal and postnatal classes, they’re all designed to help prepare you for the little one and consequently lose the baby weight. Be sure to check out their Baby Buggy classes where their fun exercises actually require you bring your tot along in their stroller (what a change, mamas!), and it’s a great way to meet other new mums in the area. Wanting something a little more intense? There’s cardioboxing, strength circuits, and a bums and tums class to help you get abs-olutely fabulous as well. They don’t actually have a set physical location because they’d rather come to you or your gym to alleviate any inconvenience, however they’ve got a number of outdoor locations which you can check out here.
Check out our full review here.
Urban Energy Fitness, (+971)(0) 55 886 9158, www.urbanenergyfitness.com
Yogalates
Is it Yoga? Is it Pilates? Well actually mamas it’s both – a 1 hr head to toe workout combining the best of each discipline, designed to melt away muscle tension and improve core strength (that’s fitness language for getting rid of post-baby bellys). The bit we love most? sessions are held outdoors at Fraser Suites in Sufouh where you can soak up some fresh air, enjoy a sunset view and a glimpse of the Arabian ocean on the horizon before decompressing in savasana bliss under the stars. Yes please!
Yogalates, Fraser Suites Tower (next to Gems Wellington School), Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, www.yogalatesblissindubai.com
Zen Yoga
Zen Yoga’s a place that constantly on every Dubai yogi’s lips and mamas, the hullaballoo is worth it. Boasting over 140 classes a week and internationally renowned instructors, you’ll find a number of specialised yoga classes (Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa) as well as pilates, barre and hybrid classes for both you and the kiddos. We’re particularly loving the Mummy & Me session which incorporates simple baby yoga and baby massage into relaxing postnatal exercises. What else can we say mamas but ohmmm…
Zen Yoga, BBC Building #10, Dubai Media City, (+971)(0) 4 367 0435, www.yoga.ae